Coco Avant Chanel

aka: Coco Before Chanel
France 2009, 105 minutes
Dir. Anne Fontaine
In French with English subtitles
Rating: [M]
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Drama / Girl-centric

Topics: Biopic, Fashion.

Feat. Audrey Tautou, Benoit Poelvoorde, Alessandro Nivola, Marie Gillain

Aroview: Fittingly stylish and appealing biopic of legendary couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, tracing her early life from the rags of an orphaned childhood to the cusp of riches as queen of her own fashion empire.

The embodiment of femininity and feminism, she tailored and sported fashion that challenged centuries-old conventions of female dress code, but her story also engages as a period romance that touchingly portrays her relationship with two key male figures - a wealthy benefactor and a handsome English suitor. As an icon of French elegance herself, Audrey Tautou is tailor-made for the role, but it's the legacy of Chanel (presented in a stylized catwalk finale) that leaves the viewer moved, and in no doubt of her influence and importance as a 20th century figure.

NZ International Film Festival 2009